As people arrive at tonight's #Justice4Blacklives rally, Pastor Layne is reminding people to "lend their voices" as representatives of Christ.

Pastor Calvert Layne is with the Truth and Life Worship Centre in Winnipeg and is also a District Pastor with the Church of God. He says he has seen many instances of systemic racism in Canada but is calling for the church community to chose empathy over ignorance.

"I go back to the words of Jesus, and the message that we pray," he says. "When I am addressing my congregation, I let them know that every one of us, it does not matter what our race is, it does not matter where we are born, it does not matter our ethnicity, status is, we are all created in God's image."

Pastor Layne emphasis that God's love is not selective.

"When we, the church, speak about love for each other it is not a special love for those who look like you. It is the love of Christ for everyone."

Layne says that racism is systemic and that not everyone recognizes when the words they use or actions they do are hurtful. He is asking people to listen to the experiences of others and to be empathetic, even if they have not experienced the same difficulties themselves.

"As a church, I think we have a responsibility to address and to speak up on issues that have to do with racial discrimination...we need to speak out."

He adds that the range in ethnicities and colours of people was no mistake, that it was all part of God's master plan.

For people who are not an ethnic minority, Layne says that just because you have not experienced systemic racism does not mean it is not an issue.

"It is easier to ignore it, or to think it will embellish the situation because you do not see it," he says. "You have to be empathetic."

Layne says that as both a pastor and a Black person, he sees that Manitoba has work to do regarding the systemic racism present.

"I think we still have a long way to go in order to achieve a sort of racial harmony and in order to meet some of the challenges that so many people of colour, especially in Manitoba, face. I do not think that as a church we are doing enough to make sure that we make our congratulation address some of the issues that we face."

Winnipeg's #Justice4Blacklives rally is scheduled to occur at 6 p.m. at the Manitoba Legislative Building.

For his own members of the congregation, he is asking them to speak out while at tonight's rally. 

"Go out, make your voices heard. Remember that you are representatives of Christ and the church. Whatever you do, that is who you are but at the same time you have the responsibility to speak out."